New highly virulent HIV variant discovered

Science, the official publication of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, published an alarming study on February 3, 2022: “A highly virulent variant of HIV-1 circulating in the Netherlands.”

This new variant has been labeled VB by epidemiologist Chris Wymant and his research team from the University of Oxford, who are behind the study.

According to Wymant, the new strain increases viral particles in the blood up to five times and makes those infected more likely to develop AIDS.

The Joint United Nations HIV/AIDS Program states that those infected with the VB variant face “double the rate of immune system decline”.

The strain was detected in 109 individuals living in The Netherlands, of which 82% were men.

“Age, sex, suspected mode of transmission, and place of birth for the aforementioned 109 individuals were typical for HIV-positive people in the Netherlands”, documents the University of Oxford study.

Wymant's research reveals that the HIV VB variant contains 500 mutations in comparison to the original virus. Scientists speculate that the virus may be evolving to counteract current HIV medications.

The good news is that current treatments such as PrEP can effectively fight this new strain. Though, it's still important to keep an eye on the evolution of VB and any new variants that might develop.

However, the discovery of this new variant is scientific proof that viruses do not always decay and become less harmful, but that they can adapt and evolve into something worse.

Current HIV treatments not only help to delay or avoid the condition to develop into something more serious. They also lower the viral load of those who are positive to the point that it is virtually untransmittable.

Comparisons with Covid-19 have been inevitable, particularly among those who hoped that the power of the coronavirus would diminish with time. This HIV variant is a reminder that this is not always the case.

However, experts point out that such a case has already happened with the coronavirus: the Delta variant was more infectious and potentially more deadly. However, preventive measures and vaccination managed to keep it at bay.

However, another type of virus has also been spreading: Rumors. Reuters reports that some people on social media have tried to link this new HIV strain with Covid-19. This can be easily debunked.

The research published by Science reveals that these new findings are probably the remnants of a larger variant that, thanks to treatments, has been dying out.

It is believed, according to the study, that this more damaging and infectious variant appeared in the 1990s but has been diminishing in numbers since around the year 2000. Two decades before Covid-19 first was detected.

What is true is that preventive measures such as protection during sex, appropriate medication, and periodical testing are a priority. Modern-day health services have many tools at their disposal to fight the virus, even before an infection occurs.

If it wasn't for modern antiretroviral treatments, the VB variant would be a catastrophe. The United Nations calls The HIV pandemic the “deadliest in our time”, with over 36 million casualties in the span of four decades.

HIV is believed to have been transmitted by chimpanzees to humans in Africa in the early 20th century. The first well-documented case in humans occurred in the Belgian Congo in 1959. However, it wasn't until the early 80s when AIDS was detected spreading around the globe.

Early bouts of AIDS in the 80s were ignored by many governments, such as the Reagan administration in the US, since the novel disease was regarded as something mainly affecting homosexuals, sex workers, and substance abusers.

Years of protest and activism have managed to get rid of the stigmatization and create awareness around HIV/AIDS. However, countless lives have been lost in the meantime, including talented individuals such as actor Rock Hudson, musician Freddie Mercury, or artist Keith Haring.

The discovery of this new HIV variant, while not considered a cause of concern, is a reminder to be vigilant about the virus. Despite all the progress made, the UN highlights that there are still over 10 million HIV-positive individuals lacking any sort of treatment for their condition.